OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the anti-ototoxic impact of Ginkgo biloba extract and lycopene on the model of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in rats.

MATERIALS and METHODS: Thirty-two Wistar albino rats were examined with the distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) test (MADSEN Capella2 ; GN Otometrics, ICS Medical, Chicago USA), and they were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1 (n=8) was defined as the healthy control group. Cisplatin was given intraperitoneally as single dose of 12 mg/kg to group 2 (n=8), group 3 (n=8), and group 4 (n=8). Group 2 was determined as ototoxic control group. G. biloba extract (100 mg/kg) was given to group 3, and 20 mg/kg lycopene was given to group 4 with orogastric feeding tube daily for 10 days. DPOAE test was repeated on day 10 on all the groups. Finally, histopathological examination was performed. The study has been lead in agreement with the principles by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Review Board at Kocaeli University Medical Center (KOÜ HADYEK- 1/9-14). The animals were treated in accordance with protocols approved by this committee.

RESULTS: When DPOAE tests were compared, there was no significant difference in the four groups before the application (p>0.05). At the end of day 10, in groups 2 to 4, statistically significant changes were observed (p<0.05). According to the cisplatin group, a significant increase in the DPgrams on G. biloba and lycopene groups was observed (p<00.5). Corti organ and spiral ganglion neurons of groups 1, 3, and 4 were observed to have weak expression. Strong reactions were determined in organum spirale and some spiral ganglions of the cisplatin group. The striae vascularis damage on group 2 was found to be more significant more compared with groups 3 and 4.

CONCLUSION: There is a protective effect of G. biloba and lycopene on cisplatin-dependent ototoxic rat model.